Mayor Steve Fulop announced today he is expanded the Mayor's Action Bureau and renaming it the Resident Response Center.Jersey Journal file photo

Jersey City’s Mayor’s Action Bureau, which responds to complaints about and requests for city services, has been rechristened the Resident Response Center, part of Mayor Steve Fulop’s effort to give the office a larger role in city government.

The RRC will also open for additional hours – from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. – starting in August. City officials announced the changes yesterday, saying they would help streamline the constituent-service process, guarantee response times and help the city track how it’s using resources.

Last week, the City Council adopted a $515 million budget for 2013 that includes $547,000 in salaries for the RRC, a boost of $181,000 from last year’s budget. Councilman at large Rolando Lavarro, a Fulop ally, defended the increase, saying the city needs a "strong" constituent-services office to respond to various issues.

"The Mayor’s Action Bureau is being strengthened because there is a strong call from Jersey City residents, and this last election showed that, to improve life for Jersey City residents," Lavarro said.

A 311 call center Fulop has promised to bring to Jersey City – New York City started its own in 2003 – will work in conjunction with the RRC, the city said yesterday.